Politics

Petraeus leaving as Afghanistan commander, less than a year into the job

Steven Nelson Associate Editor
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The Times of London is reporting the General David Petraeus will leave his position as the commander of coalition troops in Afghanistan by the end of the year.

Petraeus has served in the position as Commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and as Commander of U.S. Forces in Afghanistan since June 2010.

He took over command in Afghanistan after successfully leading “the surge” in Iraq that is largely credited with stabilizing that country. His appointment brought hope that he would be able to replicate this success in Afghanistan.

The general has been suggested as a potential Republican challenger to President Obama in the 2012 election, though he has repeatedly denied any interest in ever running for political office.

Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell told The Times, “General Petraeus is doing a brilliant job but he’s been going virtually non-stop since 9/11 [and] he can’t do it for ever.”

American and NATO military involvement in Afghanistan is approaching its tenth year.